Nine Bar Ranch Blog
North Texas Hunting: Game for Every Season
One of the things we love most about North Texas hunting is the availability of year-round game. If you are eager to get out and hunt this winter, Nine Bar Ranch is here to create the perfect hunting trip for you, your family, and your friends. Whether you’re looking to take a holiday trip or shake off the post-holiday blues after the new year arrives, we’ve got you covered.
Whitetail Season
Whitetail hunting is happening on our ranch until February 28th! Our large bucks are the Nine Bar Ranch specialty, and this is the perfect time to bag one.
Red Stag
One of the largest deer species, our Red Stag is another gorgeous trophy animal that can be hunted through February 28th. Their large antlers are uniquely shaped, with their straight structure ending in “cups.” This distinct look makes their antlers a standout installation on a trophy wall.
Scimitar Horned Oryx
We offer hunts for our exotic trophy Scimitar Horned Oryx year-round. Texas places no restrictions on the seasons during which Scimitar Horned Oryx may be hunted, so winter remains a great time to pursue this large trophy game.
Sika Deer
Nine Bar’s Sika Deer are medium-sized and offer challenging hunts year-round. Because of their smaller size and elusive behavior, these four- to six-tined deer are a rewarding addition to your trophy wall.
Wild Hog
Wild hogs are hunted year-round in Texas due to their presence as an invasive nuisance species. Your deer gear can be repurposed as hog gear in the off-season, but be prepared for a more challenging hunt. Hogs are powerful, combative animals with thick hides and dense bones.
Our staff can handle the dressing of your hog for a minimal fee, saving you from the most labor-intensive part of hog hunting.
Aoudad
Nine Bar Ranch is one of the premier Texas destinations for Aoudad hunting. Native to Northern Africa and the Atlas Mountains, our aoudad (or Barbary) sheep boast huge trophy horns.
Work on Your Tracking Skills
As you prepare to come hunt with us here on the ranch, brush up on your tracking skills. No matter the season or the game you’re pursuing, your tracking skills are the backbone of a successful hunt.
If you’re not in an active hunt, you can work on your tracking skills by silently stalking off-season animals until you’re close enough that you could take your shot.
The Takeaway
Hunting in North Texas during the winter is just as enjoyable as hunting during any other season. Rather than packing up your gear and waiting for the next deer season to roll around, keep your skills razor-sharp by staying active.
Nine Bar Ranch’s hunting getaways are action-packed year-round, so join us for a trophy hunt!
Popular Dove Hunting Calls to Use in North Texas
Dove hunting is a great way to get outdoors, enjoy some friendly competition and bonding time with family and friends, and snag a delicious meal simultaneously. But if you’re new to the sport, it can be tough to know where to start. Different types of doves produce different types of calls, so it’s important to know which one you’re after before heading out into the field. Here are a few of the most popular dove hunting calls and when to use them.
First of all, the easiest way to recognize a Dove is by a six-note call, meaning three notes played together followed by three longer notes. To imitate this, you can use store-bought contraptions or simply use your hands. A successful Dove hunt usually consists of three primary elements: a good location, effective calls, and believable decoys. Whistling a single note from a teal or wood duck call can also help draw Dove in your direction. An ideal situation would be to use a combination of all three elements for an extended period of time, as this will increase your chances of success. If you are only able to use one element, make sure it is an effective call.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most popular doves and their calls.
Mourning Dove: The mourning dove is the most commonly hunted species of dove in North America. They get their name from their soft cooing sound, which is often compared to a mourning song. Mourning doves are relatively small, so they can be difficult to spot in open fields. However, their plaintive call makes them easier to locate. When hunting mourning doves, it’s best to use a simple single-note call.
White-Winged Dove: The white-winged dove is the second most popular species of dove to hunt. They get their name from the conspicuous white patches on their wings. White-winged doves are larger than mourning doves and have a different call. Their cooing is deeper and raspier, often described as sounding like a squeaky hinge. When hunting white-winged doves, it’s best to use a two-note or raspy call.
Eurasian Collared-Dove: The Eurasian collared-dove is a relatively new addition to the dove family in North America. They were introduced to the Bahamas in the 1970s and have since spread to parts of the southeastern United States. Eurasian collared-doves are larger than both mourning and white-winged doves and have a distinctive two-note coo that sounds like they’re saying “coo-COO.” When hunting Eurasian collared-doves, it’s best to use a two-note or raspy call.
Now that you know a little bit more about the different types of doves and their calls, you’re ready to head out into the field and try dove hunting this season!